Anthony Santander’s Triple-A rehab assignment has hit a snag, according to Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider.

Prior to Tuesday’s contest against the Detroit Tigers, Schneider revealed that Santander won’t suit up for Buffalo due to “lower back soreness” and is currently considered day-to-day. The 31-year-old slugger recently experienced discomfort while taking swings before a game.

It’s a notable setback for Santander, who missed the remainder of last year’s post-season with a similar injury. With the Bisons playing their final week of the regular season, this development certainly hurts his chances of making a late-September debut with the Blue Jays.

Since joining Buffalo last week, Santander has only logged a pair of rehab games, going 1-for-7 with a single, one strikeout and zero walks. Unless he makes a speedy return, odds are he’ll end up appearing in fewer than five contests after missing all season while recovering from off-season shoulder surgery.

We’ll see where this goes. But Santander’s slim chances of returning to the majors in 2026 have taken a serious hit.

In other injury news, Shane Bieber (teres major strain) will have his side session pushed back by a day or two, per Schneider. While this isn’t considered a setback, it has left very little runway for the 31-year-old hurler to return before the season’s end. If he makes it back, it’ll come as a bulk reliever during the playoffs — think Chris Bassitt’s role last fall.

Looking ahead to this weekend’s series in Texas, the club has tentatively announced Spencer Arrighetti as Friday’s starter, followed by Dylan Cease and José Soriano. There was some internal debate about whether to use Thursday’s off-day to move Cease and Soriano up in the rotation. But they ultimately chose to prioritize rest again, particularly with the former as he continues to display diminished fastball velocity down the stretch.

This decision essentially rules out the possibility of slotting Cease and Soriano as Game 1 and 2 starters for a potential wild-card series — should the Blue Jays advance, that is. As such, it leaves the door open for Max Scherzer or another bullpen day to earn that spot.

Some baseball traditions never get old. The Perfect 9 Collection is our newest limited-edition collaboration with Blue Jays Today, inspired by the viral 9/9/9 challenge that has become a staple of baseball culture. Whether you’re taking on the challenge or just enjoying a day at the ballpark, this collection celebrates the moments that make baseball unforgettable. Featuring premium Levelwear apparel with elevated fabrics and modern fits, it’s designed for fans who live and breathe the game—on game day and beyond. Limited edition. Premium quality. Built for baseball fans. Shop the Perfect 9 Collection while it lasts. Exclusively at nationgear.ca